Nutritional Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices among Family Physician Practitioners in Gulf Countries (Bahrain, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and UAE)

Family physicians serve as pivotal points of contact within global healthcare systems. Nutrition plays a significant role in lifestyle and preventive medicine. With the rise of chronic and non-communicable diseases in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, these physicians advise patients and the public on diet-related conditions. This descriptive cross-sectional study assessed the nutritional knowledge and practices across the GCC. Combining survey data from multiple GCC sites, a sample of family physicians was generated. Registered GCC family physicians received email invitations containing participant information, informed consent forms, and a self-administered online questionnaire. Analysis of data from four GCC countries involving 8751 family physicians and nutrition experts revealed an average nutrition knowledge score of 62%. Nearly all participants recognized the importance of nutrition in preventing and treating chronic diseases. Common nutritional practices included recommending regular exercise (92%), referring patients to dietitians for nutrition-related concerns (70%), and providing nutrition advice (68.6%). GCC family physicians underscore the significance of nutrition in preventing and managing chronic ailments. Therefore, incorporating nutritional counseling into their practices is essential. This study highlights the need to integrate nutrition education into medical curricula and ongoing professional development, given that only 62% of GCC family physicians correctly answered nutrition-related questions

Adoption of antenatal care conversation mapping among health care providers in Saudi Arabia: Application of the diffusion innovation theory.

AIM: To measure the factors influencing on the adoption of antenatal care conversation mapping among health care providers in Riyadh (Saudi Arabia), using the diffusion innovation theory. METHODS: 88 healthcare providers (Riyadh) were recruited using a non-probability convenient sampling technique were trained on how to use a newly developed antenatal care conversation map. Data was collected by self-administrated questionnaire on health education services, adoption of conversation map and diffusion of innovation variables. The JMP statistical software from SAS version 14 was used to perform data analysis. RESULTS: Printable tools were most common as used by 72.7% of participants and 83.0% of them did not hear about conversation map. The total mean score of diffusion of innovation variables showed was in general high. The total mean score of relative advantage and observability was high in participants aged between 40 to less than 50 years, while the total mean score of compatibility, complexity, and trialability was high in participants aged from 50 years and more. Significant differences were obtained in both compatibility and trialability considering the health educators specialty, p = 0.03 and p = 0.027 respectively. The linear correlations between diffusion of innovation variables was significantly positive (p-value <0.01). CONCLUSION: All of diffusion of innovation variables were positive as per the opinion of the participants. Applying the conversation map on other health topics in Saudi Arabia and other Arabic-speaking countries is warranted. Measuring and evaluating the adoption rate of conversation mapping among health care providers on other health topics should be explored

Social Media Use and Acceptance Among Health Educators in Saudi Arabia

More than half the population of Saudi Arabia has access to the Internet and social media, which are considered to be the fastest growing methods of communication in the region. The Saudi Ministry of Health encourages health-care providers, health professionals, and health organizations to accept and actively engage in using technology for improving health practices. Despite their increasing importance, there is little published literature on social media use and acceptance among health educators in Saudi Arabia. The purpose of the present study was to better understand the factors that determine the use and acceptance of social media. The theoretical framework consisted of the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT) as well as an extension to that theory. Through this lens, the study investigated how personal innovativeness in information technology and level of education may influence behavioral intention or use of social media among health educators in Saudi Arabia. A cross-sectional design was employed to determine the relationships among the specified factors. The participants included 320 health educators who filled out an online survey that had been constructed and validated in the literature. Findings indicated that performance expectancy, social influence, and personal innovativeness have a significant positive influence on behavioral intention. Facilitating conditions were negatively significant to user behavior. As anticipated, age and level of education were successfully shown to be a moderator. The study also discussed social media usage patterns among health educators in Saudi Arabia for personal and health-education purposes

NTRK2-Related Obesity, Hyperphagia, and Developmental Delay: Case Report

Background: NTRK2 is a group of neurological disorders characterized by epilepsy and developmental delay. Neurodevelopmental disorders and obesity are linked to various inherited disorders and are often missed or diagnosed late. Our aim was to review Obesity,hyperphagia,and developmental delay (OBHD) which it overlaps with a wide range of neurodevelopmental disorders with obesity. Also, variable expressivity can mislead the diagnosis, especially if there is a parent with a similar phenotype but a milder presentation. Case presentation: A 8 -year-old girl presented with 6-year history of increase wight. On Neurodevelopmental examination, she found to have a speech delay and autistic features. Parents deny sphincter dysfunction and cognitive delay. Family history was negative for members with a similar presentation. Genetic testing identified a novel mutation in NTKR2 gene. Parents were examined and underwent segregation analysis which came back negative, so it is de novo. Conclusion: Obesity and neurodevelopmental delay are features that are seen in a wide range of inherited disorders, either chromosomal or single-gene disorders. Here we highlight the importance of thorough history, examination, and the application of genetic testing sooner than later to avoid delaying the diagnosis and report a possible novel variant in the NTRK2 gene. Functional studies would be our next step. [JBCGenetics 2022; 5(2.000): 48-52

Stigmatisation of COVID-19 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: A cross-sectional study

Objectives: Infectious diseases are the most common cause of disease stigmatisation, which can lead to a denial of healthcare, education, housing and employment as well as physical violence. Such stigmatisation is common during pandemics. This study aimed to examine the social stigmatisation of COVID-19 among residents of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted in Riyadh in May 2020. Non-probability convenient sampling was used to recruit 847 participants through social media platforms, including WhatsApp. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics, the Pearson correlation coefficient and the chi-squared test were used along with a multiple linear regression model. Results: There was a high level of stigma among 21% of the participants and an intermediate level in almost 49% of the participants. Low stigma was indicated among 30% of the study’s sample. A highly significant association existed between stigma, on the one hand, and older age groups, being married and lower levels of education, on the other. Conclusion: Future awareness programmes should educate patients and their families about stigma as well as the consequences of stigmatising COVID-19. Stigma eradication policies and interventions should be implemented to avoid potentially harmful consequences for public health. Keywords: Social stigma; COVID-19; Pandemic; Saudi Arabia

Preventive practices against COVID-19 among residents of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

INTRODUCTION: This cross-sectional descriptive study aimed to use the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) model as a framework to assess compliance with preventive measures against COVID-19 among residents of the city of Riyadh. METHODOLOGY: In May 2020, electronic study questionnaires on Microsoft Forms were distributed to a sample of 886 Riyadh residents via social media and WhatsApp groups. RESULTS: We found that the participants had good knowledge. However, less than half of the participants exhibited positive attitudes and good practices toward COVID-19. There was a statistically significant positive correlation between their practices, attitudes, and knowledge. The most practiced behaviours among the participants were (1) a commitment to home quarantine, (2) the use of a tissue or the inside of an elbow when coughing or sneezing, (3) hand washing for a minimum of 20 seconds, and (4) sterilization of surfaces/equipment and wearing masks in public places. Regression analysis showed that knowledge, attitudes, and age were the three factors that could predict the practices of preventive behaviours against COVID-19. CONCLUSIONS: A higher likelihood of practicing preventive measures during the COVID-19 pandemic was significantly associated with one’s total knowledge and attitude scores. Future educational campaigns are recommended to focus on residents’ susceptibility to COVID-19, its severity, mask wearing, and the disinfection of surfaces and appliances when targeting public audiences. In addition to raising awareness, public policies that support preventive practices would improve the likelihood of compliance

Fig 1 -

a. The percentage of participants using dietary supplement, categorized in seven groups (n = 275). b. The percentage of participants using each dietary supplement (n = 275).</p

The attitude of participants toward dietary supplement use (n = 275).

The attitude of participants toward dietary supplement use (n = 275).</p

The participants’ reasons for using dietary supplements (n = 275).

The participants’ reasons for using dietary supplements (n = 275).</p

Significant association between sociodemographics and attitude toward dietary supplements.

Significant association between sociodemographics and attitude toward dietary supplements.</p